The MANifesto: The Summer Dress Fixation

The summer dress seems to occupy an area of the male psyche too complex to infiltrate … But we took a shot.

Typically, sundresses should provide comfort in warm weather through lightweight fabrics and a loose-fitting form. But what may supply convenience to women may also create excitement in men due to a not-so-recently discovered obsession. The question remains: does the dress form a sincere allurement or does the girlish silhouette provide a vulnerability that men find themselves drawn to?

Whilst tapping into the minds of the male species, we spoke with some willing participants in order to get to the nitty gritty of the summer dress phenomenon. One man mentioned that there’s “almost something seductive” about the unrevealing nature of a flowing dress: there’s an infatuation with the chase, catching a glimpse of what a woman’s body has to offer but only displaying enough to raise intrigue. The inherent attraction to women in summer dresses subtly perpetuates the idea that men primarily desire women to show off their bodies in a way that seems unintentional.

The girl-next-door look

Summer wear gives men one thing they desire that they can’t get from modern, structured clothing: the girl-next-door look. Effortless charm and babydoll styling reinforce the youthful appeal and sense of purity that men associate with the look, with one man stating “If my girlfriend is wearing [a sundress] it almost gives me a sense of safety and comfort and I see her as someone who will one day be the mother to my kids.” This reiterates polarized perceptions of women as either pure and chaste or promiscuous and seductive based on how they dress.

With the reappearance of tan lines, cold beers and skimpy attire, Summer is considered a sexy period in general. This leaves the perpetually horny wondering if the resurgence of sundresses will give them “easy access” to sex — spoiler alert: it probably won’t. Or, perhaps they’ll even catch a glimpse as a woman is left in a vulnerable position as she’s caught in a light breeze.  

If you’re questioning if there’s a misogynistic undertone to the summer dress fixation, consider this comment from one of our participants:

“I’d love a girl in a summer dress, I’d prefer a girl wearing nothing.”